L.A. Galaxy Star Robbie Rogers Suits Up in Ferragamo

Set amidst the Art Deco design and high-end Italian fashion of Salvatore Ferragamo's recently renovated Rodeo Drive store are two immense, floor-to-ceiling metal-and-frosted glass doors. They're doors that are meant to communicate one thing: that something very cool, and very V.I.P., is going on behind them. So of course we nosed our way through to check out what was there.

Actually, we were invited to do just that. And the reason for our glimpse behind the frosted-glass curtain was that Robbie Rogers, winger/left back for MLS team the L.A. Galaxy (and also a serious menswear buff), was installed in Ferragamo's private fitting area to select his look for tonight's Esquire Style Mavericks dinner in New York City.

Laid out before the American soccer star was a veritable cruise buffet of fine Italian tailoring—suits (both single- and double-breasted), shirts, shoes, knitwear, and ties. Along for the ride (or more accurately, navigating the ride) was Rogers' friend and stylist Warren Baker, the man responsible for sprucing up some of Hollywood's biggest names when it comes time to hit the red carpet.

For Rogers, Salvatore Ferragamo is his brand of choice when attending upscale events. "They do a really great job of something that's masculine, that fits very well, but they also play with colors and patterns, and different fabrics that are very pretty," says Rogers. "Ferragamo, especially for the past few seasons, has been really fun."

Though he collaborates with Baker on selecting looks for events like the Style Mavericks dinner, Rogers is no slouch when it comes to fashion. When the L.A native briefly retired from soccer in 2013, he applied and was accepted to the London College of Fashion's menswear design technology course. "I was going to stop playing and go back to school. But I decided to come back to L.A. and play for the Galaxy," he says.

It was also while living in London that he came to understand the importance of tailoring. "Even when you see the average banker in London, his suit fits him perfectly. It's because he either grew up where he learned what a suit is supposed to fit like, or he's learned from his friends," says Rogers. "If you're going to invest in a great suit, like a Ferragamo suit, you want to have a great tailor."

As for the look that wins the day, it's a slim-fit black-and-white glen plaid two-piece suit that he pairs with a simple white shirt and a black tie. "When I'm dressing up for an event like this, the most important thing is how it fits. The fit the fabric," he says. "When it fits well you can be a little bit more daring." And daring is what Rogers prefers when it comes to his suits. "Going to an event, just wearing a blue suit for me is a little boring I guess. I'll do that when I go to someone's wedding."

Given that he spends most days in an L.A. uniform of jeans, Chelsea boots, and a T-shirt (when he's not in his soccer kit, of course), it's no surprise that he likes to get a little creative. "I like to play with color or a pattern [with a suit]. But nothing too crazy. Not anything too bright where all of the attention is going to be drawn to it."

When asked whether a career in fashion is in the cards for him once his playing days are over, Rogers says he isn't quite sure. It would hardly be a stretch, though. Besides regularly helping out his teammates when they're in need of fashion advice, he also has a small fashion company that he started with Baker called Hampton + Baker (Hampton is Rogers' middle name), which offers a range of denim and suede trucker jackets.

"I love to have things that are creative outside of soccer," he says. "It's always nice to focus on after I've run eight miles that day." And as for the immediate future, Rogers can take pride in the fact that his eye for style will be on full display at the Esquire event. With its bold pattern and perfect fit, his suit will be a pretty tough look to beat.